vanityn.
/ˈvanᵻti/, U.S. /ˈvænədi/ 1. † c. in vanity, in vain. Obsolete. rare.
a. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value or profit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun] > that which is
idlec1000
vanityc1230
vainc1330
futility1667
c1230 Hali Meid. 27 Hare confort & hare delit, hwerin is hit al meast, bute i flesches fulðe oðer in weorldes uanite..?
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1619 Þus es þe world, and þe lyfe þare-in, Ful of vanyte and of syn.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 431 Þonkinge of enemyes is but vanite.
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 331 Þose vnwyse ledes Þat affyen hym in vanyte & in vayne þynges.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xliii. l. 316 Whanne Alle this haddist þou seyn,..vpe thou Ryse, and bethowhtest the Whethir it were soth Oþer vanite.
a1505 R. Henryson Abbey Walk 51 in Poems (1981) 158 Thy power and thy warldlie pelf Is nocht bot verry vanitie.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 104 This frustir luve all is bot vanite.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxix. 5 Euery man at his best state is altogether vanitie . View more context for this quotation
1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 49 We see nothing in the Heavens which argues Chance, Vanity, or Error.
1834 Mathew Serm. ii. 44 Yet you often..are disposed to own that all in this world is vanity.
b. Vain and unprofitable conduct or employment of time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun] > futile activity
vanity1303
superfluitya1398
mappery1609
waste-time1609
tautology1639
boondoggling1935
taradiddle1970
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3346 Forsoþe hyt semeþ weyl to be Al here lyfe yn vanyte.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 7228 Þai..swa mysturned here þair lyfyng In-tylle vanyte and flesschly lykyng.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 729 But efter al this nyce vanite, They took hire leve, and hom they wente alle.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 219 Lat reson brydle thy sensualite,..Ageyn al worldly disordinat vanyte.
?1518 A. Barclay Fyfte Eglog sig. Aiijv Men labour sorer, in fruyteles vanyte Than in fayre warkes, of grete vtylyte.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 73 I pray the, Lord,..All vanitie and lieand word, Full far away thow put fra me.
1609 J. Melton Sixe-folde Politician (Arb.) 114 As the enterludes may be tearmed the Schoole-houses of vanitie and wantonnes.
a1625 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Two Noble Kinsmen (1634) ii. ii. 101 All those pleasures That wooe the wils of men to vanity . View more context for this quotation
1751 Transl. & Paraph. Sc. Ch. xxvii. 102 In Vanity ye waste your Days.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [adverb] > lightly
in idleshipa1250
in vanity1509
1509 S. Hawes Conuercyon Swerers (de Worde) 23 Ye dare not take their names in vanyte.
2. † b. The quality of being foolish or of holding erroneous opinions. Obsolete.
a. The quality of being vain or worthless; the futility or worthlessness of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun]
vanityc1325
overvoidnessa1382
unnaitnessa1400
unnaitshipa1400
unprofitablenessc1400
voidnessa1425
vainness1567
futility1623
emptiness1632
idlenessa1650
insignificancy1720
futileness1727
pointlessness1845
c1325 Prose Psalter li. 7 He was michel worþ in his vanite.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xi. 1 A haly man þat sees þe vanyte of þe warld mutiplid.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ephes. iv. 17 That ȝe walke not now, as and hethen men walken, in the vanyte of her witt.
c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Augustine (1910) 9 In all þis vanyte of his lif he happed to fynde a book þat Tullius Cicero mad.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xvii. 31 He hath pleasure in the vanyte of wickednes.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7121 Thus curstly þat knight~hode..Voidet þere victory for vanite of speche.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 31 A fabulous story, whereof the vanity is so much the more visible.
1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 200 This [rumour] alarmed me so much that I had little rest till Trear. spoke with King, who assured him of the vanity of it.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 160. ¶2 I fell into a profound Contemplation on the Vanity of humane Life.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero II. viii. 216 The vanity of expecting any lasting glory.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. xi. 289 The Bohemian had gone where the vanity of his dreadful creed was to be put to the final issue.
1834 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 1 699/1 The noble Lord might have anticipated the vanity of his exertions.
1864 E. B. Pusey Daniel (1876) 274 The vanity of the resistance of the kings of Judah.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > giddiness, empty-headedness > [noun]
giddiheadc1275
giddinessa1290
lighthead1340
vanityc1386
glaikitnessa1500
idleness1535
levity1564
emptiness1577
vainness1591
frivolousnessa1631
volageness1633
grollery1637
brain-giddinessa1652
desipience1656
desipiencya1682
frothinessa1716
inanity1756
frivolity1796
unpracticalness1828
unpracticality1840
bird-wittedness1854
scattiness1959
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > error in belief or opinion > [noun]
misthoughtc1300
error1340
vanityc1386
err1509
delirium1599
unsoundnessa1600
misknowing1616
errancy1623
pseudodoxy1651
apophenia1999
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's T. 194 Wol nat oure lord yet leue his vanytee? Wol he nat wedde?
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 647 Of his vanytee He hadde yboght hym knedying tubbes thre.
1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin Comm. Genesis 26 Whereby their vanitie is overthrowen which think that the world was a matter alwayes without forme.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 46 That..[they] mycht now se thair awne daftnes, and lach or greit at thair awne vanitie.
1661 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 123 Your petitioner is in great dread and horrour of an oath (though hee detests the vanity of Quakers and such like giddy people).
3.
a. The quality of being personally vain; high opinion of oneself; self-conceit and desire for admiration.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [noun]
idleshipa1250
vanitya1340
self-love1539
self-liking1549
conceit1563
vainness1567
self-pridea1586
self-delight1591
self-admiration1609
self-respect1609
self-lovingnessa1628
self-idolatry1643
self-idolizing1643
selfism1731
coxcombry1745
coxcombliness1765
coxcombicality1766
coxcombery1774
narcissism1822
narcism1938
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xv. 4 Synn and vnclennes þat þai ere in þat folous þaire flesch and þe vanyte of þaire blode.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 166 That whil he stod in that noblesse, He scholde his vanite represse With suche wordes as he herde.
a1400–50 Alexander 1730 Be vanyte & vayne glori þat in þi wayns kindlis.
a1400–50 Alexander 1784 All þi vanyte to voide & þi vayne pride.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 65 Yowre blynde fantesies now in hertis weyve Of childisshe vanyte, and lete hem over slyde.
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 30 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) They..through vanity..doe thereupon build..Histories of their owne antiquity.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. i. 85 What did this vanity But minister communication of A most poore issue? View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. B The intention of this discourse..[was not] fond ambition, or the vanity to get a Name.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. 310 The vanity of wicked Men is scarcely more conspicuous than in the fond Imaginations they flatter themselves with.
a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) ii. 100 She cannot be vindicated from the imputation of female vanity, and the love of admiration on account of her exterior accomplishments.
1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. i. i. 4 His..vanity was so mingled with good nature that it became graceful.
1881 M. E. Herbert Edith 7 To the young wife's vanity and to Mr. Gordon's pride in his choice.
b. With a and plural: An instance of this; an occasion for being vain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [noun] > instance of
ventosity1605
vanity1714
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) i. 4 Think not, when Woman's transient Breath is fled, That all her Vanities at once are dead.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxxi. 203 The nobility and gentry..who placed a vanity in these institutions.
1770 S. Foote Lame Lover i. 7 To derive a vanity from a misfortune, will not I'm afraid be admitted as a vast instance of wisdom.
c. A thing of which one is vain; also slang, one's favourite liquor.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [noun] > source of
bosom-vanity1678
vanity1856
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > types or qualities of intoxicating liquor > [noun] > favourite
vanity1891
1856 C. Patmore Espousals viii, in Angel in House II. 116 She was my vanity, and oh, All other vanities how vain!
1891 C. T. C. James Romantic Rigmarole 114 It is advisable to wash it down with a long drink of the reader's particular vanity.
4. † b. An idle tale or matter; an idea or statement of a worthless or unfounded nature. Obsolete.
a. A vain, idle, or worthless thing; a thing or action of no value.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > worthless
hawc1000
turdc1275
fille1297
dusta1300
lead1303
skitc1330
naught1340
vanityc1340
wrakea1350
rushc1350
dirt1357
fly's wing1377
goose-wing1377
fartc1390
chaff?a1400
nutshella1400
shalec1400
yardc1400
wrack1472
pelfrya1529
trasha1529
dreg1531
trish-trash1542
alchemy1547
beggary?1548
rubbish1548
pelfa1555
chip1556
stark naught1562
paltry?1566
rubbish1566
riff-raff1570
bran1574
baggage1579
nihil1579
trush-trash1582
stubblea1591
tartar1590
garbage1592
bag of winda1599
a cracked or slit groat1600
kitchen stuff1600
tilta1603
nothing?1608
bauble1609
countera1616
a pair of Yorkshire sleeves in a goldsmith's shop1620
buttermilk1630
dross1632
paltrement1641
cattle1643
bagatelle1647
nothingness1652
brimborion1653
stuff1670
flap-dragon1700
mud1706
caput mortuuma1711
snuff1778
twaddle1786
powder-post1790
traffic1828
junk1836
duffer1852
shice1859
punk1869
hogwash1870
cagmag1875
shit1890
tosh1892
tripe1895
dreck1905
schlock1906
cannon fodder1917
shite1928
skunk1929
crut1937
chickenshit1938
crud1943
Mickey Mouse1958
gick1959
garbo1978
turd1978
pants1994
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 5 I satt by mine ane fleeande þe vanytes of þe worlde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 53 Þat foly luue þat uanite, þam likes now nan oþer gle.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xxi. ix. 855 I had forsaken the vanytees of the world.
c1475 Mankind (1969) 909 Thynke & remembyr þe world ys but a wanite.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xvii. 15 They despysed his ordinaunces..and walked in their awne vanities.
1542 H. Brinkelow Lamentacion sig. Avv Ye shuld turne from these vanytyes vnto the lyuynge God.
1633 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 76 To run on in their sinful vanities.
1658 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 71 All I find as shee desires it for, is but to spend it uppon her vanities.
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity ii. ii. 33 The sights and sports of the Theatre and such like vanities.
1823 C. Lamb Praise of Chimney-sweepers in Elia 259 A convenient spot..at the north side of the fair, not so far distant as to be impervious to the agreeable hubbub of that vanity.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xli. 375 As long as we have a man's body, we play our Vanities upon it, surrounding it with humbug and ceremonies.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > fabrication of statement or story > a false or foolish tale > [noun]
spellc888
triflea1250
talea1325
vanity1340
a tale of waltrot1377
fablec1384
niflec1395
triflerya1400
truffc1430
jest1488
winter's talec1555
winter story1646
galley-packet1786
galley-yarn1874
cuffer1887
ploda1903
scuttlebutt yarn1918
just-so story1922
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 77 Holy wryt, þet hise clepeþ leazinges..and metinges and uanites.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 184 Many has lykyng trofels to here, And vanites wille blethly lere.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 166 Whanne þou iangelyst in cherch, or thynkest vanytees.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccv The Frenche men were thought to be authors and forgers of this vanitie.
1568 W. Dunbar in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 45 I knaw me..culpable..In wordis vyle in Vaneteis Expreming.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 37 They be great southsayers, they haue good dayes and bad dayes,..they doe easily beleeue whatsoeuer vanitie.
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie i. sig. S6 Turpin..hath interlaced his Storie with a number of ridiculous vanities.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 391 His Poem the Auracana..begins with this vanity, truely poetical and Romantick Spaniard-like.
1894 ‘M. Twain’ in Cent. Mag. June 236/1 The claim that the knife had been stolen was a vanity and a fraud.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > [noun] > emptiness
leernessc1000
vanitya1400
emptinessc1450
inanity1607
vacuation1611
blankness1850
a1400 Stockholm Med. MS. 127 A good oynement for þe vanyte of þe heed.
a1400–50 Alexander 4774 It was bot vacant & voide, as vanite it were.
1582 P. Levens Right Profitable Bk. All Disseases 13 For the vanitie of the head. Take the iuyce of wallwoort,..and therewith anoynt thy temples.
6. North American.
a. = vanity table n. at Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > dressing table
toilet1667
dressing table1668
toilet table1753
dresser1828
kidney table1845
duchesse dressing-table1863
poudreuse1902
vanity table1936
vanity1937
1937 ‘E. Queen’ Door Between xiv. 148 She sat down before the vanity to cold-cream her face.
1967 ‘V. Siller’ Biltmore Call 124 Her make-up and perfume bottles and jars were still on a kidney-shaped vanity.
b. = vanity unit n. at Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > types of furniture generally > for kitchen or bathroom
vanity set1930
Vanitory1951
Pullman1952
peninsula1955
vanity1967
vanity unit1973
1967 Boston Sunday Herald 26 Mar. (advt.) Classic elegance for your bathroom is yours with this 30 × 20-in. vanity... Vitreous china top and bowl.
1977 Chicago Tribune 2 Oct. xii. 8/2 (advt.) Ceramic tile baths and vanities.
1984 Tampa (Florida) Tribune 5 Apr. (Sears Suppl.) 9/3 Start your bath remodeling with this lovely vanity.
7.
a. Vanity Fair n. [after quot. 1678 below] a place or scene where all is frivolity and empty show; the world or a section of it as a scene of idle amusement and unsubstantial display. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [noun] > (an) ostentatious display > more ostentatious display > place or scene of
Vanity Fair1815
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 120 The name of that Town is Vanity; and at the Town there is a Fair kept, called Vanity-Fair: It..beareth the name of Vanity-Fair: because the Town where tis kept, is lighter then Vanity. View more context for this quotation]
1815 J. Scott Visit to Paris ix. 171 Such is the Palais Royal;—a vanity fair—a mart of sin and seduction!
1827 W. Scott Chron. Canongate iii Carrying so many bonny lasses to barter modesty for conceit and levity at the metropolitan Vanity Fair.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxv. 224 The last scene of her dismal Vanity Fair comedy was fast approaching.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xli. 375 Assuming that any Vanity Fair feelings subsist in the sphere whither we are bound.
1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers III. 110 But how preach..at all in such a vanity fair as this now going on at Ullathorne?
1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges ii. 72 Never was such a brilliant, jigging, smirking Vanity Fair as that through which he leads us.
b. Vanity-Fairian n. Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [noun] > ostentatious person
peacocka1425
ruffler1536
struttera1591
flaunter1598
glisterer1628
tulip1647
parader1747
swasher1821
swash1824
dazzler1839
rooster1840
show-off1841
swankera1846
Vanity-Fairian1847
grandstander1896
spotlighter1907
swank1913
swankpot1914
showboat1932
showboater1941
pavisander1950
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xvii. 144 Even with the most selfish disposition, the Vanity fairian..can't but feel some sympathies and regret.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations.
vanity-bait n.
ΚΠ
1816 J. Austen Emma II. xiv. 278 I should never have expected you to be lending your sanction to such vanity-baits for poor young ladies. View more context for this quotation
vanity-giving n.
ΚΠ
1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Aug. 6/3 Remembering..that enough of our public men do eat of this vanity-giving food.
vanity-huckster n.
ΚΠ
1669 W. Penn No Cross, No Crown in Wks. (1782) II. 205 Let such of those Vanity-hucksters as have got sufficient be contented to retreat.
vanity pocket n.
ΚΠ
1923 Daily Mail 12 June (advt.) Silk Handbag..Fitted captive mirror, vanity pocket.
vanity sight n.
ΚΠ
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 166 Sho is not transfigurd..bod vnto þer sightis þat may be begylid with vanyte syght.
C2.
vanity bag n. a small hand-bag, etc., for ladies, fitted with a mirror and powder-puff.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [noun] > sets and containers for
dressing box1607
toileta1684
dressing case1778
service1851
toiletry1892
powder bowl1894
vanity bag1907
vanity-box1911
powder compact1920
compact1921
vanity set1930
flapjack1934
minaudière1940
1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 404/1 The Vanity Bag. Containing on one side mirror, separate pocket for powder..with puff,..gusset pockets..for gold on other side, pocket for cards, papers, &c.
1928 J. Galsworthy Swan Song iii. iv. 243 Fleur..accidentally left her vanity bag, behind her, in the studio.
1946 K. Tennant Lost Haven (1947) xviii. 295 The silver-beaded white vanity-bag that carried her money, her lipstick, her handkerchief.
1974 J. Cleary Peter's Pence iii. 78 The note..had said she was spending the night with Fergus... She had taken a small vanity bag and slipped out of the apartment.
vanity-box n. = vanity bag n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [noun] > sets and containers for
dressing box1607
toileta1684
dressing case1778
service1851
toiletry1892
powder bowl1894
vanity bag1907
vanity-box1911
powder compact1920
compact1921
vanity set1930
flapjack1934
minaudière1940
1911 G. R. Chester in Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 30 Sept. 4/1 She carried her own vanity box.
1978 N. Marsh Grave Mistake iv. 136 A vanity box..lay on the table.
vanity-case n. = vanity bag n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > luggage > travelling bag > hand-held
mailc1275
clothesack1393
cloak-bagc1540
portmanteau1553
valance?a1562
pockmanty1575
cap-case1577
cloak-bearer1580
night baga1618
valisea1630
toilet1656
Roger1665
shirt case1823
weekend case1827
carpet-bag1830
holdall1851
handbag1859
suitcase1873
sample case1875
gripsack1877
case1879
grip1879
Gladstone (bag)1882
traveller1895
vanity-case1913
luggage1915
revelation1923
two-suiter1923
overnight bag1925
one-suiter1933
suiter1933
overnight case1934
Samsonite1939
flight bag1943
Pullman1946
grip-bag1958
overnighter1959
carry-on1960
Vuitton1975
go bag1991
1913 S. Story Spirit of Paris 52 The exquisite femme du monde..has a final glance at herself, ‘vanity case’ in hand.
1922 Daiy Mail 2 Dec. 1 (advt.) Lady's Vanity Case, in velvet calf, containing mirror and powder puff.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 531/1 The Sky Casket by Ever Ready..is of the vanity-case type—no controls or other external components being visible.
1979 M. McCarthy Cannibals & Missionaries xi. 323 He had slipped a folded plan of the house..into Eloise's vanity case, under her powder~puff, camouflaged by a thick layer of face-powder.
vanity basin n. a washbasin for a vanity unit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing oneself or body > [noun] > washing the hands > vessel for washing the hands (and face)
washela1375
laverc1394
washing-bowl1530
washpot1535
washing-basin1538
cistern1577
lavacre1657
lavatorya1676
chillumchee1715
wash-hand basin1760
wash-dish1805
washbasin1812
wash-bowl1816
chamber set1824
toilet bowl1850
wash-pan1851
lavatory basin1854
wash sink1857
lavatory bowl1872
wash-trough1902
pedestal basin1967
pedestal washbasin1967
vanity basin1972
w.h.b.1975
1972 House & Garden Dec.–Jan. 84/3 ‘Luxe’ vanity basin..£11.25.
vanity mirror n. (a) a small make-up mirror, esp. as a fitting in a motor vehicle; (b) a dressing-table mirror.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun] > looking-glass
looking-glass1526
Venice glass1527
tooting-glassc1560
seeing-glass1565
girdle-glassa1652
Venice looking-glass1655
considering-glass1660
peeper1673
long glass1680
table glass1688
dressing glass1697
keeking-glassa1724
toilet glass1729
long mirror1793
swing-glass1809
hand glass1832
cheval-glass1836
psyche1838
tire-glass1844
tiring-glass1844
driving mirror1907
wing mirror1925
swing mirror1930
vanity mirror1959
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun] > mirrors in vehicle
rearview mirror1911
rear mirror1919
vanity mirror1959
rear view1974
1959 Observer 1 Mar. 21/5 Visors with vanity mirror are flush fitting.
1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 i. 16 A half hour in front of her vanity mirror.
1971 ‘D. Halliday’ Dolly & Doctor Bird viii. 100 The vanity mirror..was surrounded by fourteen ormulu makeup lamps.
1983 Listener 27 Oct. 25/2 (advt.) Such thoughtful touches as an illuminated vanity mirror..and seat back map pockets are all standard.
vanity number plate n. U.S.
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > number plate > types of
trade plate1920
ringer1962
vanity plate1967
vanity number plate1983
1983 Daily Tel. 10 Oct. 13/4 They will sell you a personalised or ‘vanity’ number plate for as little as ten dollars.
vanity plate n. (see quot. 1967).
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > number plate > types of
trade plate1920
ringer1962
vanity plate1967
vanity number plate1983
1967 Britannica Bk. of Year (U.S.) 804/3 Vanity plate, an automobile license plate bearing distinctive letters, numbers, or a combination of these and usually available at extra cost.
1974 ‘D. Shannon’ Crime File (1975) xi. 194 The drivers who wanted to pay extra..could buy the vanity plates.
vanity press n. = vanity publisher n.
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society > communication > printing > publishing > publisher > [noun] > publisher at author's expense
book club1815
vanity publisher1922
vanity press1969
1969 C. Armstrong Seven Seats to Moon vi. 61 Are you planning to pay that Vanity Press to publish your father's book?
1976 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 7 Mar. 12/2 I read this book with the kind of horrified fascination with which one reads vanity press confessions.
vanity publisher n. originally U.S. a publisher who publishes only at the author's expense.
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society > communication > printing > publishing > publisher > [noun] > publisher at author's expense
book club1815
vanity publisher1922
vanity press1969
1922 R. C. Holliday & A. Van Rensselaer Business of Writing 138 Numerous devices are employed by the ‘vanity publisher’ to lead the innocent author on toward becoming famous in his own eyes and those of his friends.
1978 Amer. Notes & Queries Nov. 45/2 There are all sorts of literary histories, ranging from the pathetic things by which vanity publishers con local authors into expenditures far beyond their means, up to the CHEL and comparable works.
1984 H. Spurling Secrets of Woman's Heart 19 Ivy placed Pastors and Masters..with a small firm of ‘vanity’ publishers called Heath Cranton in Fleet Lane, paying for publication herself.
vanity publishing n.
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society > communication > printing > publishing > [noun] > publishing at author's expense
vanity publishing1960
1960 G. A. Glaister Gloss. Bk. 429/2 Vanity publishing, publishing on behalf of and at the expense of an author who pays for the production and often for the marketing of his book.
1981 V. Glendinning Edith Sitwell iii. 45 She had emerged from vanity publishing to the real thing... ‘I have found a publisher.’
vanity set n. (a) a set of cosmetics or toiletries, (b) U.S. a matching bath and vanity unit.
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the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [noun] > sets and containers for
dressing box1607
toileta1684
dressing case1778
service1851
toiletry1892
powder bowl1894
vanity bag1907
vanity-box1911
powder compact1920
compact1921
vanity set1930
flapjack1934
minaudière1940
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > types of furniture generally > for kitchen or bathroom
vanity set1930
Vanitory1951
Pullman1952
peninsula1955
vanity1967
vanity unit1973
1930 A. P. Herbert Water Gipsies xix. 285 She lightly powdered her face. Lily had..given her a ‘vanity set’.
1970 Washington Post 30 Sept. b11/6 (advt.) New tub. Toilet and vanity set.
1979 D. Cook Winter Doves ii. i. 45 He had packed dolls' Vanity Sets into boxes.
vanity table n. a dressing-table.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > table > [noun] > dressing table
toilet1667
dressing table1668
toilet table1753
dresser1828
kidney table1845
duchesse dressing-table1863
poudreuse1902
vanity table1936
vanity1937
1936 L. C. Douglas White Banners i. 9 The mirror of the vanity table.
1954 W. Tucker Wild Talent (1955) xiv. 183 A vanity table likewise revealed occupied drawers.
1980 L. Birnbach et al. Official Preppy Handbk. 191/2 Women's locker rooms often boast vanity tables with combs and face powder.
vanity unit n. a unit comprising a washbasin set into a fixed dressing-table.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > types of furniture generally > for kitchen or bathroom
vanity set1930
Vanitory1951
Pullman1952
peninsula1955
vanity1967
vanity unit1973
1973 A. Roos Dunfermline Affair 162 The limed-oak furniture was all built in. Wardrobe, vanity units, dressing-tables.
1983 Sunday Tel. 21 Aug. 31/4 The property has modern conveniences, including..fitted kitchen, bathroom with vanity unit and plenty of power points throughout.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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